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Why Spaying and Neutering Your Dog Is Necessary

Amy Tokic
by Amy Tokic
Published:  February 15th, 2013
It’s not just Bob Barker who thinks that spaying and neutering is so important


Everybody loves puppies! But let’s look at the facts – there are just not enough homes for all of them. Many of these dogs will end up in shelters or will be euthanized. According to the ASPCA, 2.7 million animals are euthanized every year, so spaying and neutering a dog is necessary.


What is spaying and neutering? These are safe surgical operations that prevent animals from reproducing. Spaying involves removing the ovaries and uterus of a female dog, while neutering removes a male dog’s testicles.


If you’re choosing to spay or neuter your dog, many vets recommend the procedure anywhere from five to seven month old. However, experts are saying to wait for a year or two, especially when it comes to larger breeds. Whenever you decide, we’ve got a few good reasons why you should consider having it done.


  • Spaying your female dog cuts the risk of her developing uterine infections, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer.
  • When you neuter your male dog, there are many health benefits that come along with having the procedure done. He will have fewer prostate problems, which include cysts, abscesses, and prostate cancer, and he will never develop testicular cancer. Other bonuses for male dogs include the fact that he will be less aggressive, less hyperactive and will be less likely to roam.
  • Put a stop to overpopulation. Here’s a surprising stat: One female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 dogs in just six years. Yikes! That’s a lot of dogs that may not be able to find homes. And by controlling the pup population, we’ll be seeing fewer dogs in shelters and homeless on the streets.
  • Stop the killing! Million of animals will be euthanized in shelters across this country. Not only is the killing senseless, but it takes millions of tax dollars to shelter and care for stray, abandoned and unwanted dogs. Most of these funds are spent on the euthanization process.


We’d like to hear your thoughts on spaying and neutering. If you agree or disagree, or have an opinion you’d like to share with the community, please use the comment section below.

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Amy Tokic
Amy Tokic

Amy Tokic, Editor of PetGuide.com, is a passionate animal lover and proud pet parent of Oscar, a Shih Tzu/Chihuahua cross, and Zed, a Japanese Chin. Her love of animals began in kindergarten, when she brought her stuffed dog Snoopy into class with her every day. Now, she writes about her adventures in pet ownership and tirelessly researches products, news and health related issues she can share with other animal enthusiasts. In her free time, Amy loves perusing used book and record stores, obsessing over the latest pet products available and chasing squirrels with wild abandon (a habit attributed to spending too much time with her pooches).

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Common Myths About Spaying And Neutering Your Dog

Fact or fiction? The truth about spaying and neutering As a responsible pet parent, one of the questions you’ll be faced with is whether or not you will spay or neuter your dog. And the myths that surround this surgery could affect your decision. We want to debunk these myths. Having your dog spayed or neutered helps to keep pets out of shelters down the road, curbs health issues and will save you money in the long run. Let’s look at the most common myths about spaying and neutering. Myth My Dog Will Get Fat Being spayed or neutered has nothing to do with weight gain – it has everything to do with diet and exercise. So you can’t blame it on the surgery… this one is on you! If you see a weight gain after your dog has been spayed or neutered, it could be due to overfeeding or lack of activity. Check the fat and serving sizes of meals and make sure to get out for daily walks, play times and trips to the dog park. Myth Spaying and Neutering is Expensive Shelter and rescue organizations offer spaying and neutering surgeries with every adoption. Veterinarians have low cost packages or even free spay and neuter programs, depending on where you live. This is an investment that will save lives down the line – with more dogs on the streets or in unwanted households, the issue of euthanasia will remain an ongoing problem. By having your dog spayed or neutered, you’re ensuring you’re doing your part to control the responsible growth of the pet population. Myth Spay and Neuter Surgeries Are Too Risky As with any kind of surgery, especially when anesthesia is involved, there is risk with spaying and neutering. But overall, the complication rate is quite low. This type of surgery is the most common type of procedure performed each year, so the vets know what they are doing. Your dog will be back up on his paws and back to his old ways in just a few days. Myth A Female Should Have a Litter Before Being Spayed The sooner you spay your female dog, the better her health will be in the future. In fact, the longer you wait, the great the risk your dog will develop mammary tumors or uterine infections. Early sterilization is safe and if dogs are spayed before their first heat (6 to 9 months of age), they have less of a chance of developing mammary cancer. By spaying or neutering your dog, you’re doing your part to keep your dog healthy and keep the shelter population down. And if that doesn’t convince you, here’s Bob Barker to remind you…

At What Age Should You Spay Or Neuter Your Dog?

There are pro and cons to spaying or neutering your dog – weigh all the information before you make a decision If you’ve decided to spay or neuter your dog, you may now be wondering at what age your pooch should have the surgery. Unfortunately, there’s no single, definitive answer to this question. Some advocate an early spay or neuter (before the first heat cycle for females or around the 5 month or less mark for males), but more experts are saying that it’s best to wait until the dog is slightly older (usually around 1 to 2 years old). You’ll find pros and cons to everything, so if you’re unsure, it’s best to weigh everything up before you come to your final decision. The Pros of Spaying or Neutering Early Unwanted Litters: If your pooch is spayed or neutered before reaching sexual maturity, then there’s no chance of a female having an unwanted litter or a male fathering an unwanted litter. No matter how careful you are, there’s always a chance that an accidental pregnancy could occur. Millions of dogs have to be euthanized each year because there aren’t enough homes for them, so do your part to curb this problem.Health Benefits: If a female dog is spayed before her first heat cycle, then she has almost no chance of developing mammary cancer later in life. If spayed later, the rick of mammary cancer still reduces compared to an intact female, but not by as much as when done early.Behavioral Issues: A male dog who is neutered before he reaches sexual maturity will avoid developing some of the behavioral issues that are linked to the production if testosterone, such as aggression toward other male dogs, humping and urine marking. The Cons of Spaying or Neutering Early Growth Issues: Neuter a male dog too early, generally before he hits 5 months of age, and he’s likely to grow a little bit taller than he should for his breed and to develop less “masculine” musculature.Osteosarcoma: Osteosarcoma – or bone cancer – is more common in dogs who are neutered before they’re 1 year old, especially those belonging to larger breeds or breeds who are already predisposed toward getting this type of cancer.Hip Dysplasia: A dog of a larger breed may be more likely to get hip dysplasia later in life if neutered too young.Urinary Problems: A female dog spayed to young is more likely to suffer from some degree of urinary incontinence and increase incidence of urinary tract infections. The Pros of Spaying or Neutering Later Weight Issues: A dog who has been spayed or neutered is more prone to obesity. Of course, this can be remedied with a healthy diet and exercise, but spaying later may help to keep your pet trim and avoid the additional health issues that come with obesity.Hormones: If you wait until later to spay or neuter your pooch, the production of hormones will have already started. Some experts believe this is important for a dog’s development, especially in larger breeds, who keep growing for longer and are more liable to get bone and joint issues. The Cons of Spaying or Neutering Later The Potential for an Accident: If you’re a responsible dog owner, you’re probably very careful that your dog doesn’t get into any difficult situations, but you can’t rule out the possibility that your pup will break out, get loose, or be approached by another dog, with the end result of bringing another litter into the world.Mammary Cancers: If you spay your female dog too late (after 2 ½ to 3 years of age) it might not reduce the risk of her getting mammary cancer when she gets older.

Reasons Why You Should Spay Or Neuter Your Cat

You’re doing more than helping to control the pet population You’ve probably heard people, especially animal rescuers and shelter workers, talk about the importance of spaying your female cat or neutering your male cat. But is it really that necessary? And would you be doing more harm to your cat by putting him or her through this surgery? The truth is that spaying and neutering is an important component not only of population control but also of your pet’s overall health. These surgeries are so commonplace and safe that there is hardly any need to worry about side effects. Continue reading to learn some of the best reasons why you should make sure every member of your feline family is spayed or neutered at a young age. Related: Reasons to Adopt a Shelter Cat Your Female Cat Won’t Go Into Heat and Will Be Healthier Female cats who are intact will typically go into heat every three weeks, with the heat cycle lasting an average of four to five days, once the breeding season hits. During this time, your female will yowl to get attention and may even urinate all over the house in an attempt to find and secure a mate. In addition to never having to deal with an annoying heat cycle from your female cat, your spayed feline will also be healthier, as she’ll be far less susceptible to breast cancer and will have no risk of uterine complications (during a spaying, the female’s uterus and ovaries are removed). To get the most protection from these disorders, have your pet spayed before her first heat. Related: Why Your Cat Sprays Male Cats are Happier, Healthier, and Better Behaved Removing the testicles of your male cat will eliminate the risk of him ever acquiring testicular cancer. Intact male cats are also a lot more likely to try to run away because they’re desperately looking for a mate. Neutered males, on the other hand, lose that desire to roam and are perfectly content staying indoors with you. Therefore, if you have an intact male cat who constantly darts for the door and makes his way outside, where he can get hit by oncoming traffic, get parasites, or fall victim to cruel humans or wild predators, having him neutered can completely transform his attitude and stop this reckless behavior. Male cats who haven’t been neutered may also take it upon themselves to mark their territory by spraying foul-smelling and potent urine all over your house. Again, these cats are on the lookout for female cats. But neutered felines don’t feel the need to mark their territory, especially if they were neutered before that behavior set in. And they’re also more concerned with pleasing their human family and spending time with them. Yet another reason to neuter your cat is to prevent aggression issues, which is common in intact males. Neutered cats are more at ease, less inclined to become aggressive, and better behaved overall. There are Many Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Programs If the potentially high cost of a spaying or neutering surgery is what’s keeping you back from getting your pet to the vet, bear in mind that there are many organizations that provide low-cost spaying and neutering services to people who would otherwise be unable to afford it. And, when you really think about, having your pet spayed or neutered will also help you save money in the long run because of all of the health conditions it can prevent. Plus, you won’t need to worry about spending money on injuries incurred by intact animals who get into fights because they’re more aggressive or who run out of the house in an effort to roam and end up getting hurt in the process. In addition to all of the benefits listed above, having your pet spayed or neutered will also ensure he or she will never be able to reproduce and create offspring that may end up euthanized in shelters because there are already millions of animals around the country looking for homes and not enough shelters to house them. In keeping your own pet happy and healthy, therefore, you can also save the lives of other animals. Remember to consider adopting your next companion rather than shopping for one so that you can save yet another life as well.

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Thinking about neutering your dog? Here are a few basics you should brush up on before making a decision. Neutering is something that every owner of a male dog should know about and consider. You may hear all kinds of stories about neutering (you probably know somebody whose best friend’s uncle twice-removed had their dog neutered and he was never the same again), but it’s best not to listen to hearsay and rumors when it comes to veterinary care. If you still have questions about neutering, your vet will be happy to answer them. What is Neutering? Neutering is the common term for sterilizing a male dog. That is, making it so he can’t sire puppies. It’s sometimes also known as castration. The procedure generally involves removing the testes entirely, although it’s not completely unheard of to perform a doggy vasectomy, where the tubing that carries the sperm from the testes to the penis is cut. If a vasectomy, rather than a full castration, is performed, all of the dog’s hormones (and any related behavioral problems related to testosterone) will still remain. Related: Common Myths About Spaying And Neutering When Should a Dog Be Neutered? Veterinarians usually advise for a dog to be neutered between five and seven months of age. But new research shows that owners of larger dogs (Golden Retrievers, Labs, etc) should wait until the dog is at least 1 year old in order to prevent joint issues down the road. The idea of neutering earlier is due to the fact that high levels of testosterone can cause unwanted behavioral problems, so a dog should be neutered before he reaches sexual maturity. Neutering earlier than this isn’t recommended, because younger dogs may be at more risk from going under general anesthetic. In addition, dogs neutered earlier than five months of age might have increased chances of developing hip dysplasia and cranial cruciate ligament rupture, particularly if they’re of a breed more predisposed to these conditions. However, if your dog is older than this, he can still be neutered. Will a Dog Change When He’s Neutered? Some people avoid neutering their dog because they think it will change their beloved pooch too much, but this is a fallacy. There may be some changes to your dog after he has been neutered, but there’s more to it than that. Neutering will only change any behaviors that your dog exhibits as a result of his hormones. These are the kinds of behaviors that are generally viewed as undesirable and include urine marking, aggression toward other male dogs, and humping or mounting other dogs, people, or inanimate objects. Having your dog neutered won’t change his personality, working abilities, or how friendly or playful he is. Related: Why Spaying and Neutering Your Dog Is Necessary Is Neutering a Serious Procedure? Neutering is a less serious procedure than spaying (female sterilization), as the veterinary surgeon won’t need to cut into any of your dog’s body cavities to perform it. However, there’s always a risk when a dog goes under general anesthetic. Your dog should be able to come home on the same day as the surgery’s performed and will probably be back to his normal self the next day. However, he will have to take it easy (and wear the cone of shame) until his stitches are taken out. What Are the Pros of Neutering? Neutering your dog has a number of benefits. From a medical standpoint, if his testes have been removed, then it means he can’t get testicular cancer. It also reduces the chances of him contracting prostate cancer and having other prostate related problems. Neutering can help to reduce some common behavioral problems, such as aggression toward other dogs and roaming to find female dogs in heat. However, it’s important to note that neutering isn’t a quick fix for any and all behavior issues. Of course, there’s the obvious benefit of making sure that your dog can’t father any unwanted puppies. Related: Spay And Neuter Options What Are the Cons of Neutering? Although it’s uncommon for there to be any problems, occasionally going under anesthetic can harm your dog. This is less common in younger, healthy dogs, but talk to your vet if you have any concerns. There’s a slightly increased risk of osteosarcoma and hemangiosarcoma in neutered dogs. Neutered dogs can be a little more prone to gaining weight, but as long as you feed your pooch a healthy diet and give him enough exercise this shouldn’t be a problem. As well, recent research as shown that if you neuter a large dog too soon, he may suffer from joint problems in the future.

This Amazing Cat Lady Teaches Responsible Pet Ownership To School Kids

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Amazing Wiener Dog Gives Birth to a Record Breaking Puppy Litter

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Lost Dog Rescued After Surviving Six Years Alone in the Woods

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World’s Largest Cruise Ship Welcomes a Super Cute Dog as a Resident

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How Cold is Too Cold for My Dog to Be Outside?

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How Can I Tell If My Dog Has a Fever?

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Is Melatonin Safe For Dogs?

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Why is My Rabbit Eating Poop and How Do I Stop It?

It’s a weird and uncomfortable habit, but if your rabbit is eating poop, it may not be a sign of health issues! In fact, for rabbits, eating poop may actually be a healthy decision (even if we’d prefer not to see it).In this article, we’re diving into the mystery of why rabbits eat poop, including why you may want to let your rabbit engage in this “cringey” habit. Plus, we’ll look at the warning signs that something is, indeed, off and when you should contact your veterinarian.Let’s get started…Is it Normal for a Rabbit to Eat Their Poop?Obviously, seeing your rabbit eating their own feces isn’t something any rabbit parent enjoys. If this is your first time seeing your rabbit engaging in this behavior, it may even cause serious concerns. What could possibly be so wrong with your rabbit’s system that they would feel tempted to do that? You may be surprised to learn that this is incredibly common and, in many cases, a regular part of their digestive process. By eating a specific type of poop, they ensure that they are getting (and keeping) all the nutrients that they need to support a healthy, happy life. The idea of chowing down on our own waste is disgusting to us. But for our furry friends, this is a normal part of their daily routine. Rabbit Poop vs Cecotropes To better understand the connection between poop eating and your rabbit’s health, we need to learn about the different types of rabbit waste. More specifically, we need to know about cecotropes. When we go to the bathroom, we have one type of solid waste – a material we couldn’t imagine getting near, let alone making into a meal. Rabbits, however, pass two different types of droppings. The first is fecal waste or poop. If your rabbit has a healthy, functioning digestive system, these will be small, round, dry, ball-like pellets that are light brown. This is often found in your rabbit’s litter box (if they are litter-trained) or the bottom of their cage.The second and the most important type of droppings are cecal pellets or cecotropes. These have the appearance of a small bunch of grapes with several round pellets clumped together. They are shiny, coated in mucus, and usually dark brown/mulberry color. The mucus is sticky, which could cause the cecotropes to pick up a layer of hay, wood shavings, or fur from their environment. While feces is the body’s way of discarding everything your body doesn’t need from your food, aka the ‘waste,’ cecotropes are a little different. These pellets contain partially digested foods that passed through your rabbit’s system without the nutrients being absorbed the first time. They are packed with nutrients as well as helpful bacteria and fungi that support a healthy gastrointestinal system. When you see a rabbit eating their waste, they are usually eating these cecotropes. This allows them to absorb the much-needed nutrients that would otherwise be lost.

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Final Thoughts - Can I Muzzle My Dog to Stop Barking?Excessive barking can be frustrating and, if left unaddressed, can put you, as the owner, in a difficult situation. In some places, this can lead to fines or even eviction due to noise complaints. Unfortunately, the process of training a dog to stop barking isn’t one that is usually solved overnight – but it can be done! While you might have seen it recommended to use an “anti-bark” muzzle to stop your dog’s barking, it is not recommended for anything more than a 10 to 15-minute quick fix. Not only does it not teach your dog not to bark in the future, but the muzzle's design could create a dangerous situation. Instead, start by identifying the cause. Is your dog overly excited? Is there a trigger that makes them feel fearful and stressed? Are they trying to protect you when someone walks onto your property? Knowing the trigger will help you not only stop it but also manage your dog’s barking in the short term. If you feel overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to contact a professional trainer or certified behaviorist to offer guidance and direction. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Dog Finds A Forever Home After Spending 1,007 Days at Delaware Shelter

Tessy, now a 5-year-old black Labrador retriever mix, spent 1,007 days at a Delaware animal shelter before being adopted into a forever home. This cute pooch arrived at Humane Animal Partners (formerly Delaware Humane Association and Delaware SPCA) on January 17, 2021, hoping to be adopted in no time.Unfortunately, finding her people proved challenging for Tessy. Days, weeks, months, and years went by, and Tessy was still living at the shelter with no prospective adopters in sight. “Tessy is loyal, goofy, snuggly, and remarkably smart,” said Leigh McKinley, a director at the Humane Animal Partners, according to PEOPLE. Like many other shelter dogs, Tessy had some trust issues and was wary of new people and experiences. These problems were the reasons for Tessy’s longer stay at the Humane Animal Partners shelter. “Tessy exhibited fear-reactive behaviors in the form of lunging, barking, and growling towards unfamiliar stimuli. Our goal was to help her overcome those fears and learn to trust humans and her surrounding environment, essentially changing her emotional response from a negative to a positive,” McKinley explained.The shelter used a behavioral modification plan, which consisted of positive reinforcement training techniques to help Tessy overcome her fears. Fixing a problematic behavior takes a lot of time, patience, and effort, but the shelter’s staff didn’t give up on Tessy.“Changing an involuntary physiological behavior takes dedication and consistency to be successful, and while we were determined to see this through, the nature of being in a shelter, with different staff members working with her on any given day, and for varying amounts of time, means the change would take time,” said McKinley. “We also needed to make sure her adopters were the right fit for her. We took a very thoughtful and careful approach to introducing her to people, and it took time for the right family to find her.”Then, almost three years later, all of Tessy’s hard work paid off! After 1,007 days at the shelter, this cute pooch has finally found her forever home. The family who adopted Tessy, met her several times to help her feel at ease. For the adopters, it was love at first sight, and Tessy instantly felt safe around them. “When her adopters Jeanine and Jeff first met her, we all tried to keep a level head about it, not getting our hopes up too high. After their third meeting, though, we could tell Tessy had already established a level of trust with them that we had never seen so quickly before,” said McKinley. Jeff and Jeanine adopted the pooch shortly after the third visit, and the shelter’s staff was ecstatic that Tessy had found a loving home.“It was a rollercoaster of emotions leading up to the adoption day, everything from celebrations to disbelief to sadness, excitement, a bit of anxiety, and everything in between. Mostly, though, we felt proud. Proud of her, proud of everyone who helped get her to this point, and proud of the results,” McKinley shared.  “We all know she’d do okay, we are also quite aware that going from three years in the shelter into a loving home is a big adjustment, and it will take her a while to fully acclimate. We tried to instill in her adopters to be confident and patient but never to be complacent.” the shelter’s director added.It’s important to know that not every visit to an animal shelter ends with ‘love at first sight.’ A lot of adoptable dogs have experienced some level of trauma and neglect, and are generally more anxious inside the shelter. Keep an open mind when visiting your local shelter and remember that each of these pups deserves a loving family and a forever home. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Is AI Making it Easier to Have a Conversation with Your Pet?

We ask the question: Is there really an app in the works that will help us talk to animals?

Can You Use Dog Flea Products on Cats?

Final Thoughts – Safe Flea Prevention for CatsWhile flea prevention is an important step to keep your cat safe and healthy, you must ensure that the products you are purchasing are made for use on cats. Many dog flea prevention products include highly toxic chemicals to cats, making them potentially life-threatening.If you suspect you have recently used the wrong flea treatment on your cat, wash the area immediately with soap and water to remove as much of the product as possible. Call your vet for an immediate emergency appointment or make your way to the nearest emergency clinic. These products can be lethal, and time is of the essence.For those concerned about the risks of fleas and flea-transmitted diseases, highly effective products are available that are safe for your kitty. When shopping, read the packaging carefully to ensure it says it is made for use on cats. If you are still unsure, ask your veterinarian for recommendations.Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Amazon Took Some Heat with 2023 Super Bowl Ad

Rescues and dog experts alike felt solution to separation anxiety was a total fumble. Can they recover this year?

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